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KMID : 0379220010210030029
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Journal of Korea Gerontological Society
2001 Volume.21 No. 3 p.29 ~ p.41
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Effects of an Undergraduate Gerontology Course of the Students´ Attitudes about Older Adults
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Yi Yeong-Sug
Park Kyung-Rhan
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Abstract
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The present research investigated whether or not an undergraduate gerontology course had a positive influence on students´ perceptions about elderly people and related matters. In order to examine the issue of concern, sixty-two male and female undergraduate received a series of classroom lectures on gerontology, as well as participated in diverse activities to experience elderly lives including interviewing elderly people. A survey was administered with the students at the beginning of the first day of class and at the end of the semester.
Results from the analyses of the rating data indicate that as an consequence of taking the gerontology course, students developed more favorable attitudes toward aging and older adults on various dimensions such as independence(p<.001), effectivity(p<.01), and personal acceptability(p<.05). Moreover, the content analyses of students´ reports suggest that (1) participation the experiential activities induced them to seriously think about aging and elderly-related issues, (2) increased their interest level in intergenerational relationships of caring and understanding, and (3) led them to feel the necessity to systematically prepare for their own future as an elderly person. Thus, we conclude that design and implementation of elderly people-related formal education programs is very important. Such programs will equip young people with accurate knowledge of aging and help them to develop a more positive attitude toward the elderly as well as toward their own aging.
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